Two Years.

I'll be attending college, starting in the fall.
I'll attend this college for two years.
After two years, I will either switch colleges, or start farming/apprenticing.
I feel that getting straight to work on my farm, or apprenticing, would be a better use of my time. It would allow me to get straight to work, without being so fiscally burdensome.
However, if I do stay in college, I would transfer to a school with a program in agriculture that offered internship opportunities.
I feel that there's a lot of societal pressure to attend college for 4 years, even though it might not be completely beneficial.

Still thinking.

I am still weighing my options for the future.
In my previous post, I wasn't trying to minimize the value of a college education.
I realize that a college degree is needed to be accepted as part of the "norm" of urban, elitist society.
I am simply saying that if I will attend college, I would rather go to a school that has relevance to me.
Going to a school without my intended area of focus would be counter-productive if not a waste of time.

Wanting to get started

I feel like there are many years and obstacles ahead of me, before I can get started with farming.
I would much rather just start, and do apprenticeships for a few years.
Doing this would be useful and helpful, and would prepare me for my career.
I will be entering college next year, but there isn't an agricultural component at the school.
Therefore, I am questioning what to do.
I feel that I could get a lot of experience by apprenticing for a few years on different farms.
I am weighing all my options.

Maine Farmers

I spent my evening watching the videos on http://www.meetyourfarmer.org/
They have a collection of short films about farmers in Maine, and their accomplishments and struggles.
I was surprised to learn of the decline in the number of farms in Maine, but after watching these videos, I feel even more motivated to begin farming.
I will be a part of a movement that will help increase the number of farms throughout America.
I just wish I didn't have to wait so long before I start farming.

I would suggest that everyone watch these videos, for it will give people a new perspective on agriculture.

Enough

I'm tired of being surrounded by tests, grades, and expectations. I'm ready to be surrounded by cows, sheep and chickens.
Being around animals on my farm will be less stressful than the daily grind of life in a metropolis.
I look forward to being able to produce my own, clean, healthy food, and not having to rely on supermarkets and multinational corporations for my sustenance.
I received a comment a while ago, saying that my decision to enter agriculture would be a sacrifice of my intellect. This comment reflects such ignorance, and is also incredibly elitist.
In the meantime, I am reading Joel Salatin's books, and watching agricultural videos on YouTube.

Background

My family is an urban one.
My family members are lawyers, artists, and executives.
They all live in urban areas.
Therefore, I think that they're all surprised by my choice.
Certainly my grandfather was surprised, if not dismayed by my decision.
I just want to get past the planning and talking about it, and just start building my farm, and raising animals and crops.

Almost done

I'm almost done with High School.

Soon, I'll be at college in a rural area.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be contacting farms in the Berkshires, to see about doing some work/interning on the weekends.
I am hoping to spend many weekends doing farm work. Getting an internship will be great preparation for me, and will allow me to be more experienced when I establish Drouault Farm.

I've gotten a lot of good advice from Joel Salatin's book "You Can Farm."
He gives good suggestions for beginning farmers.

Now, I need to start taking steps to move Drouault Farm into reality and existence.
I am going to study Agriculture eventually.
Once I get my college degree in Sustainable Agriculture, I'll be even more prepared to farm.

It's true that I won't be living a life of luxury and excess in an urban area, but I'll be happy.
Farming is a way of life that isn't for everyone.
That being said, it's an ideal path for me. I will be outside, and will get to interact with animals.


On another note,
I really don't understand my detractors. I don't understand why these people think that it's their place to criticize my career choice. I will actually be helping the world. If these people don't want to become farmers, that's fine. I respect their choices. I don't criticize them for shopping at supermarkets and buying imported food. So,can't the respect be mutual?